5 Questions to Ask Before You Sign With Any Destination Wedding Resort
A resort contract is written by people whose job is to protect the resort. That's not a criticism, it's just the reality of any contract. Your job is to ask the questions that protect you before you sign, not after.
Questions?
1. What's the weather and force majeure policy?
Mother Nature happens. So you want to make sure you are covered. Get the exact refund, credit, or rebooking terms in writing. Ask specifically what happens if a hurricane, tropical storm, or other weather event disrupts your week or wedding day. Is there a backup plan? Do you get a full refund, a credit, or a rebooking option? Make sure your contract has the actual policy in writing, not a verbal reassurance.
2. Is the price locked once we sign?
Contracts are binding. Being in breach of a contract is not a fun place to be so confirm in writing whether your quoted price can change based on guest count or season. Some contracts allow pricing to shift based on final guest count, currency fluctuations, Nationwide tax or fee changes or even seasonal adjustments. Ask directly whether your quoted price is truly final, and if not, what could change it and by how amount.
3. Who runs the ceremony logistics day-of?
Ask whether it's the resort's own coordinator or a subcontracted outside vendor. Both can work well, but you want to know who you're actually relying on before the day arrives. A Destination Wedding Specialist can help with both travel logistics and the wedding coordinating. See my blog here for more information on hiring a Destination Wedding & Travel Specialist for your wedding.
4. What are the guest room block terms?
Ask specifically about cancellation clauses and minimums before you commit. Attrition clauses require you to return any unused rooms by a specified date. Inquire about what happens if your guests don't book the full room block? Understanding the minimums and any associated fees now prevents an unpleasant surprise later.
5. What's genuinely included versus a paid add-on?
In your contract, it should list all included items. This needs to be a written itemized list, not a verbal summary. Get a specific, itemized list of what's included versus what shows up as an extra paid line item. Verbal descriptions during a sales call are often more generous than the contract that follows.
Asking all five of these on your own, mid-conversation, while also trying to picture your wedding day in a space you've never stood in, is a lot to hold at once. This is exactly the gap the Pre-Journey Preview is built to close. Details on the October dates are here: PRE-JOURNEY PREVIEW PAGE.
FAQ
What should be included in a destination wedding resort contract?
A clear itemized list of inclusions, the weather/force majeure policy, final pricing terms, guest room block minimums and attrition fees, and who is responsible for day-of ceremony logistics.
Can a destination wedding resort change the price after you sign?
It depends on the contract. Some resorts allow price adjustments based on final guest count or seasonal factors, which is why it's important to confirm in writing whether your quote is truly locked.
What happens if a hurricane affects my destination wedding?
This depends entirely on the resort's force majeure policy, which should specify whether you receive a refund, credit, or rebooking option. Always request this in writing before signing.
Keep this list, bring it to your next resort call, or skip the pressure of asking it all yourself and let someone ask it with you. That's what the Pre-Journey Preview does, in real rooms, in real time. Are you coming to October →PRE-JOURNEY PREVIEW 26’
